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Hippomenes

In Greek mythology, Hippomenes was Atalanta's husband.

Atalanta raced all her suitors and outran many. The one that finally became her husband accomplished this through his brain, not speed. Hippomenes knew that he could not win a fair race with Atalanta, so he prayed to Aphrodite for help. She gave him three golden apples and told him to drop them one at a time to distract Atalanta. Sure enough, she quit running long enough to get each golden apple. It took all three apples and all of his speed, but Hippomenes was finally successful, winning the race and Atalanta's hand.

Atalanta and Hippomenes were turned into lions by Zeus or Cybele after having sex in one of his/her temples.

Alternative: Melanion



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